They host about 80% of the planet’s biodiversity, regulating the balance of energy, carbon and water, and ultimately climate, on a global scale. Oceans and rainforests support the world’s richest ecosystems. Despite sharing a set of common general traits (e.g. location and its geophysical and climate consequences, pressures inherited from colonization by European countries), tropical regions are also marked by a wide diversity of landscapes, socio-historical processes, cultures and artistic expressions that reveal its richness and potential for world change and innovation. It is estimated that by 2050, more than 50% of the world’s population and 2/3 of the world’s children will live in the tropics, mostly in urban areas.

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Many countries of the so-called Global South have experienced substantial advances in their development process. They are now following the global trends in economic growth, social rights, and technological progress, and are catching up the some of the major international players in quality and dynamism. Therefore, the region’s importance in overcoming challenges and humanitarian, environmental and food crises is undeniable. However, social and urban inequalities, poverty, political distress, inability to cope with climate change, and other environmental challenges still remain. In addition, the economic and geopolitical global world order as well, as the setting of the key international agendas, remain dominated by the Global North, even if the contribution of tropical countries to the world population and economy is increasing.

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Therefore, because the challenges, potentialities and contributions of the tropical regions are embedded in a globalized world system, a multilateral, comprehensive, inclusive and often critical approach is crucial, and this is the proposal for the Tropical Summit.